Best Ways to Experience Saguaro National Park at Sunset

Golden hour at Saguaro National Park is spectacular. I honestly wouldn’t recommend seeing this national park any other way — Saguaro National Park at sunset is absolutely breathtaking. Here are some of the best ways to make the most of your time at Saguaro at sunset.

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About Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park became a national park in 1994.

It is separated into two sections: a west and east side, with the city of Tucson in the middle.

Differences Between the West and East Sides

The west side is smaller in acreage than the east side.
The west side is higher in saguaro density (meaning the saguaros are closer together and there’s much more of them) than the east side.
The west side also gets more visitors than the east side.

Which Side Should You Watch the Sunset?

We chose to visit the west side because it had more saguaros. We loved our view of the sunset from the west side and would definitely recommend it.

saguaros at sunset in Saguaro National Park (West) — Saguaro National Park (West)

What are Saguaros?

Saguaros are a type of giant cacti that can grow to 50 feet tall.

The proper way to pronounce saguaro is like this: suh-waa-row.

Here are some interesting facts about saguaros:

Saguaros are only found in the Sonoran desert and have become an iconic symbol of the American Southwest.
More than 2 million saguaros were counted in Saguaro National Park at the last census in 2020.
Saguaros sprout arms, or branches, at about 70 years old, on average.
When saguaros turn 125 years old, they are considered adults. Some can live over 200 years!

author's mom posing with saguaros at sunset in Saguaro National Park (West) — Saguaro National Park (West)

Best Ways to Experience Saguaro National Park at Sunset

I think the best way to experience the sunset in Saguaro is to walk around the saguaros on a trail and appreciate the beautiful sunset colors against the various desert flora.

The National Park Service recommends watching the sunset from Gates Pass, an overlook up a windy road. We did see many cars and people waiting up there, but we much more enjoyed being on a less-crowded trail and seeing the sunset with the saguaros.

author posing with saguaros at sunset in Saguaro National Park (West) — Saguaro National Park (West)

1. Hike a Nature Trail

We walked the Desert Discovery Nature Trail during sunset.

It’s an easy, flat half-mile paved trail through saguaros and where we got all our best shots of the sunset.

There weren’t many people here at this time of day, which was all the better for us.

Other hikes to do:

You can also try hiking the Valley View Overlook Trail or to the Signal Hill petroglyphs.

author's mom walking among saguaros at sunset in Saguaro National Park (West) — Saguaro National Park (West)

2. Take Pictures at Sunset

I can’t emphasize enough how much you should stay (or return) for the sunset at Saguaro National Park. It’s so beautiful.

All my sunset photos were taken on the Desert Discovery Nature Trail, and it was so much fun capturing golden hour.

Bring your camera, and have at it!

3. Drive the Saguaro West Bajada Loop Drive

We drove a part of this road on our way into the park, toward the Desert Discovery Nature Trail.

It’s a scenic, dirt drive, about 5 miles long. You don’t need a 4×4 or high-clearance vehicle to drive this road. Just get in your car and get going.

Along the road, there are pullouts, picnic areas, and trailheads. You’ll find the Valley View Overlook Trail here as well as the road that leads to Signal Hill.

It gets very dark in the park once the sun goes down, so best to be on your way out before then.

Opening Times

Saguaro National Park is open to vehicles from sunrise to sunset daily. You can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day.

Entry Fees

It costs $25 per vehicle to enter Saguaro National Park, and your entry is valid for one week.

If you plan to visit more than three national parks in a year, definitely get an America the Beautiful pass to save money.

When to Visit Saguaro National Park

For cooler temps: I’d say winter is your best time to visit Saguaro National Park. We visited in December and very much appreciated the cooler temperatures. The weather will probably also have mild temps in early spring and late fall. The desert in summer is not for everyone. (If you do visit in summer, be prepared for the heat.)

To see saguaro blossoms: The saguaro flowering season is in late April through June.

Where to Stay Near Saguaro National Park

My number one recommendation of where to stay near Saguaro National Park is at Graduate Tucson.

Here’s why:

Convenient location. Graduate Tuscon is right in the middle of downtown Tucson, easy walking distance to a lot of restaurants and shops.
New and smells nice. It’s fairly new (having opened recently in 2020), and it smells like desert cologne inside.
There’s a rooftop bar! Up on the rooftop there are fire pits, outdoor couches, and amazing views of the city as well as a bar/restaurant. The vibes are incredible.

author on the rooftop of Graduate Tucson hotel — Graduate Tucson

Frequently Asked Questions about Saguaro National Park

Can you enter Saguaro National Park at night?

Saguaro closes to vehicles after sunset, but you can walk or bike in.

How long does it take to drive Bajada Loop Drive?

Without stopping, it will probably take about 25 minutes to drive the 5-mile Bajada Loop Drive.

How much time do you need at Saguaro National Park?

You can spend just an hour in Saguaro National Park to all day here. You may even need two days if you plan to visit both sections of the park (east and west side).

Is Saguaro National Park worth it?

Saguaro is definitely worth a visit! I was underwhelmed at other desert national parks like Joshua Tree, but I loved Saguaro. It’s a beautiful park.

Is Saguaro National Park free?

No, it’s not free. It costs $25 per vehicle to enter Saguaro National Park, and your entry is valid for one week.

Why is Saguaro a national park?

Saguaro National Park protects and cares for the land in its jurisdiction which is the Sonoran desert ecosystem. There are also archaeological sites in Saguaro that span 8,000 years of human occupation in the area.

Where is the entrance to Saguaro National Park?

On the west side, there are several roads that lead into Saguaro National Park, and there isn’t really an official entrance. Signs tell you to pay your entrance fee at the visitor center.

On the east side, there is an official entrance sign (see it on Google Maps) and booth where you pay your fees before entering.

Consult the national park’s webpage for more info on directions.